Strong DC electric field formation in the ionosphere over typhoon and earthquake

regions

V. M. Sorokin, V.M. Chmyrev, A. K. Yaschenko and M. V. M. Sorokin, V.M. Chmyrev, A. K. Yaschenko and M. HayakawaHayakawa

In this report we present the model of DC electric field In this report we present the model of DC electric field formation in the ionosphere at the stages of earthquake formation in the ionosphere at the stages of earthquake and typhoon development that allows to explain and typhoon development that allows to explain numerous effects in space plasma. This field caused by numerous effects in space plasma. This field caused by electric current flowing in the ionosphere is controlled by electric current flowing in the ionosphere is controlled by dynamics of the lithosphere and the atmosphere dynamics of the lithosphere and the atmosphere processes through variations of external electric current processes through variations of external electric current in the lower atmosphere. External current is connected in the lower atmosphere. External current is connected with convective transport of charged aerosols. Horizontal with convective transport of charged aerosols. Horizontal spatial scale of this current is about 10 to 100 km and spatial scale of this current is about 10 to 100 km and the characteristic time scale is 1 - 10 days.the characteristic time scale is 1 - 10 days.

The model used for calculations of current and field The model used for calculations of current and field in the atmosphere - ionosphere electric circuit above in the atmosphere - ionosphere electric circuit above

typhoon zonetyphoon zone

1. Earth surface.1. Earth surface.2. Conductive layer of 2. Conductive layer of

the ionosphere.the ionosphere.3. External electric 3. External electric

current in the current in the typhoon region.typhoon region.

4. Conductivity electric 4. Conductivity electric current in the current in the atmosphere – atmosphere – ionosphere circuit.ionosphere circuit.

5. Field - aligned 5. Field - aligned electric current.electric current.

6. Satellite trajectory.6. Satellite trajectory.

2

3

Er

z1

4

5 6

B z

x

1

Equation for horizontal distribution of the ionosphere potential Equation for horizontal distribution of the ionosphere potential over typhoon region.over typhoon region.

Convective transport of charged aerosols in the lower atmosphere at different stages of typhoon Convective transport of charged aerosols in the lower atmosphere at different stages of typhoon development leads to formation of external electric current. Its inclusion in the atmosphere – development leads to formation of external electric current. Its inclusion in the atmosphere – ionosphere electric circuit is accompanied by amplification of conductivity current that flows ionosphere electric circuit is accompanied by amplification of conductivity current that flows into the ionosphere. The current flowing within the conductive layer of the ionosphere is into the ionosphere. The current flowing within the conductive layer of the ionosphere is closed in the conjugate ionosphere through the magnetic field-aligned current. closed in the conjugate ionosphere through the magnetic field-aligned current.

The equation for horizontal distribution of the ionosphere potential The equation for horizontal distribution of the ionosphere potential obtained with obtained with consideration of oblique geomagnetic field and the conjugate ionosphere effects has a form:consideration of oblique geomagnetic field and the conjugate ionosphere effects has a form:

2 2

0 2( , ) exp expe e

j

z x yj r z j

h l

1

0 ( )

z dz

z

1

2 2 2 21 1 0

2 2 2 2 0

exp /( , ) ( , )1exp

sin 2 ( )

z je

P

z hx y x y j x ydz

x y l z

It is assumed that the rate of charge separation in unitary volume of cloud is of the order of:It is assumed that the rate of charge separation in unitary volume of cloud is of the order of: The calculations are provided at the following parameters: The calculations are provided at the following parameters:

The external electric current is:The external electric current is:

12 34 10 /dQ dt Coulomb m s

12 00100 , 10 , 5 , 10 , 10 / , 20j Pl km z km h km h km cm s

6 20 0 4 10 /ej dQ dt z A m

Dependence of horizontal DC electric field on distance in the Dependence of horizontal DC electric field on distance in the ionosphere along and across the plane of magnetic meridianionosphere along and across the plane of magnetic meridian

0 200 400 600

5

10

15

20

E r (

r ,

) ,

m V

/ m

r , km

Horizontal DC electric field distribution in the ionosphere over Horizontal DC electric field distribution in the ionosphere over typhoon zone calculated for different magnetic field inclinationstyphoon zone calculated for different magnetic field inclinations

-800 -400 0 400 800

Y , km

-800

-400

0

400

800X

, k

m

-800 -400 0 400 800

Y , km

-800

-400

0

400

800

X ,

km

-800 -400 0 400 800

Y , km

-800

-400

0

400

800

X ,

km

-800 -400 0 400 800

Y , km

-800

-400

0

400

800

X ,

km

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

2 2 , /x yE E mV m

The model used for calculations of current and field in the The model used for calculations of current and field in the atmosphere - ionosphere electric circuit above seismic zoneatmosphere - ionosphere electric circuit above seismic zone

1. Earth surface1. Earth surface

2. Conductive layer of the 2. Conductive layer of the ionosphereionosphere

3. External electric current in 3. External electric current in the lower atmospherethe lower atmosphere

4. Conductivity electric 4. Conductivity electric current in the current in the atmosphere – atmosphere – ionosphere circuitionosphere circuit

5. Field - aligned electric 5. Field - aligned electric currentcurrent

6. Satellite trajectory6. Satellite trajectory

7. Charged aerosols injected 7. Charged aerosols injected into the atmosphere into the atmosphere by soil gasesby soil gases

2

3

Er

z1

B

4

5

6

7

z

x

1

Equation for spatial distribution of DC electric field Equation for spatial distribution of DC electric field potential over seismic regionpotential over seismic region

The external current is excited in a process of vertical atmospheric convection of The external current is excited in a process of vertical atmospheric convection of charged aerosols. Aerosols are injected into the atmosphere due to intensifying charged aerosols. Aerosols are injected into the atmosphere due to intensifying soil gas elevation during the enhancement of seismic activity. Its inclusion into soil gas elevation during the enhancement of seismic activity. Its inclusion into the atmosphere – ionosphere electric circuit leads to such redistribution of the the atmosphere – ionosphere electric circuit leads to such redistribution of the conductivity currentconductivity current that DC electric field increases up to 10 mV/m in the that DC electric field increases up to 10 mV/m in the ionosphere. ionosphere.

The equation for DC electric field potential has a form:The equation for DC electric field potential has a form:

The boundary conditions are as follows:The boundary conditions are as follows:

Atmospheric electric field variations with time scale exceeding 1 day at the Atmospheric electric field variations with time scale exceeding 1 day at the distances within tens to hundreds kilometers from earthquake center during distances within tens to hundreds kilometers from earthquake center during seismically active period never exceed the background magnitudes ~ 10 - 100 seismically active period never exceed the background magnitudes ~ 10 - 100 V/m. The mechanism of feedback between disturbances of vertical electric V/m. The mechanism of feedback between disturbances of vertical electric field and the causal external currents near the Earth surface can explain such field and the causal external currents near the Earth surface can explain such limitation. limitation.

( ) ( , , ) 0e

d dz j x y z

dz dz

1

1

2 21 1 1

1 2 2 20 00

10; 2 ;

sin ( )

z

Pzz z

d dz

dz x y z

1 1( , , )x y z z

Scheme of the feedback formation between external current Scheme of the feedback formation between external current and vertical electric field on the Earth surfaceand vertical electric field on the Earth surface

1 - Positive 1 - Positive charged charged aerosols.aerosols.

2 - Negative 2 - Negative charged charged aerosols. aerosols.

3 - Elevated soil 3 - Elevated soil gases. gases.

4 - The Earth 4 - The Earth surface.surface.

+ -

V

jp0

jn0

Ez0 Z=0

1

2

3

4

Intensified soil gas elevation during the enhancement of seismic activity Intensified soil gas elevation during the enhancement of seismic activity increases aerosols injection into the atmosphere. The field limitation on the Earth increases aerosols injection into the atmosphere. The field limitation on the Earth surface is caused by feedback mechanism between excited electric field and the surface is caused by feedback mechanism between excited electric field and the causal external current. This feedback is produced by the potential barrier for causal external current. This feedback is produced by the potential barrier for charged particle at its transfer from ground to the atmospherecharged particle at its transfer from ground to the atmosphere

Dependence of external current on the vertical electric field Dependence of external current on the vertical electric field on the Earth surface.on the Earth surface.

Upper panel:Upper panel:

The positive The positive particles current.particles current.

Lower panel:Lower panel:

The negative The negative particles current.particles current.

0 0 0 0 0 0( , ( )) ( ) ( ( ) / ); ( , ( )) ( ) ( ( ) / )p z p z cp n z n z cnj r E r j r f E r E j r E r j r f E r E

Dependence of vertical electric field on the Earth surface Dependence of vertical electric field on the Earth surface on the magnitude of external currenton the magnitude of external current

Formulas for calculation of spatial distribution of DC electric Formulas for calculation of spatial distribution of DC electric field connected with conductivity electric current in the field connected with conductivity electric current in the

atmosphere and the ionosphere caused by charged aerosols atmosphere and the ionosphere caused by charged aerosols injection into the atmosphereinjection into the atmosphere

1

0 ( )

z dz

z

1,

, , , 0 ,

0

( ); ( , ) ( ) ( )

( )

zp n

p n p n p n p n

s zk dz j r z j r s z

z

1 1( , ) ( , ) ; ( , ) ( , )x yE x y x y x E x y x y y

2 20 0

1 0 02 2 2

( ) ( )1 1( , ) ( ) 1 ( ) 1

sin 2z z

p p n nP cp cn

E r E rx y k j r k j r

x y E E

0 00 0

( ) ( )1( , ) ( ) ( ) 1 ( ) ( ) 1

( )p z n z

z p p n ncp cn

k E r k E rE r z s z j r s z j r

z E E

0 1 1( ) ( , 0); ( , ) ( , , )z zE r E r z x y x y z z

0 0 0 0 0 04 ; 4p p p p n n n nj eZ h N j eZ h N 3 3 4 1 12

0 020 , 15 , 5 , 8 10 , 100, 2 10 , 2 10 /p n p Ph km h km h km N cm Z s cm s

0 0/ 0.64n pj j It is assumed:It is assumed:

6 20 6 10 /pj A m The external electric current is:The external electric current is:

DC electric field calculated for axially symmetric distribution of DC electric field calculated for axially symmetric distribution of the external electric currentthe external electric current

100 200 300 400

0,0

0,5

1,0

E z0

(r)

, V

/m

r , km

j 1(r)

/ j 1(

0)

100 200 300 400

-60

-40

-20

0

100 200 300 400

4

8

12

E r (

r ,

) ,

m V

/ m

Upper panel:Upper panel:

Horizontal DC electric field in Horizontal DC electric field in the ionosphere along and the ionosphere along and across the plane of magnetic across the plane of magnetic meridian. meridian. Angle of magnetic Angle of magnetic field inclination is field inclination is

Middle panel:Middle panel:

Vertical component of DC Vertical component of DC electric field on the Earth electric field on the Earth surface.surface.

Lower panel:Lower panel:

Normalized vertical Normalized vertical component of external component of external current on the Earth surface.current on the Earth surface.

20

Spatial distributions of DC electric field calculated for axially Spatial distributions of DC electric field calculated for axially symmetric distribution of the external electric currentsymmetric distribution of the external electric current

Upper panel:Upper panel:Horizontal component of Horizontal component of

DC electric field in the DC electric field in the ionosphere. Angle of ionosphere. Angle of magnetic field magnetic field inclination is inclination is

Lower panel:Lower panel:Vertical component of DC Vertical component of DC

electric field on the electric field on the ground.ground.

20

Spatial distribution of DC electric field in the ionosphere calculated Spatial distribution of DC electric field in the ionosphere calculated for the different angles of magnetic field inclinationfor the different angles of magnetic field inclination

-400 -200 0 200 400

Y , km

-400

-200

0

200

400

X ,

km

-400 -200 0 200 400

Y , km

-400

-200

0

200

400

X ,

km

-400 -200 0 200 400

Y , km

-400

-200

0

200

400

X ,

km

-400 -200 0 200 400

Y , km

-400

-200

0

200

400

X ,

km

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Spatial distribution of horizontal DC electric field in the Spatial distribution of horizontal DC electric field in the ionosphere at the different altitudes of aerosols elevationionosphere at the different altitudes of aerosols elevation

0 100 200 300 400 500

2

4

6

8

10

2

1

r , km

E r (

r ,

) ,

m V

/ m

1. 20 , 15

2. 10 , 5

p n

p n

h km h km

h km h km

Response of the ionosphere to typhoon and earthquake Response of the ionosphere to typhoon and earthquake development as observed from satellites and ground stationsdevelopment as observed from satellites and ground stations

Typhoons Earthquakes Eruptions

Near– ground atmosphere.Convective transport of charged aerosols and external electric current formation.

Atmosphere.Electric current in the atmosphere – ionosphere circuit.

Ionosphere.DC electric field, AGW instability, ionosphere conductivity irregularities.

Magnetosphere.Field-aligned currents, plasma density irregularities.

Ground based data

Changes in the ionosphere F layer.

Occurrence of sporadic Es layer.

ULF geomagnetic pulsations

Changes in whistler characteristics.

Satellite dataDC electric field

enhancement

Plasma density irregularities

ULF/ELF electromagnetic oscillations

Examples of satellite observations of DC electric fieldExamples of satellite observations of DC electric field

DC electric field DC electric field observed by theobserved by the "ICB "ICB -1300"-1300" satellite within satellite within 15-min interval before 15-min interval before the earthquake the earthquake occurred on January occurred on January 12, 1982 at 17.50.26 12, 1982 at 17.50.26 UT .UT .

DC electric field DC electric field observed by theobserved by the “COSMOS -1809"“COSMOS -1809" satellite over the zone satellite over the zone of large-scale tropical of large-scale tropical depression in its initial depression in its initial stage on January 17, stage on January 17, 1989 1989

Examples of satellite observations of ULF magnetic field oscillations Examples of satellite observations of ULF magnetic field oscillations and electron number density fluctuationsand electron number density fluctuations

60 с

3

2

1

N/N

10%

4

a

б

1. Irregularities of ionosphere 1. Irregularities of ionosphere conductivity.conductivity.

2. Irregularities of electron 2. Irregularities of electron number density stretched number density stretched along geomagnetic field.along geomagnetic field.

3. Field-aligned currents.3. Field-aligned currents.4. Satellite trajectory crossing 4. Satellite trajectory crossing

the disturbed region.the disturbed region.

a). ULF magnetic field a). ULF magnetic field oscillations oscillations observed observed onboard theonboard the "ICB -1300" "ICB -1300" satellite within the 15-satellite within the 15-min interval before the min interval before the earthquake occurred on earthquake occurred on January 12, 1982 at January 12, 1982 at 17.50.26 UT .17.50.26 UT .

b). Electron number density b). Electron number density fluctuations observed fluctuations observed onboard the “COSMOS-onboard the “COSMOS-1809” satellite within the 1809” satellite within the 3.4 hour interval before 3.4 hour interval before aftershock of the Spitak aftershock of the Spitak earthquake on January earthquake on January 20, 1989 at 00.04.06 UT.20, 1989 at 00.04.06 UT.

ConclusionConclusion Convective transport of charged aerosols in the lower atmosphere at different Convective transport of charged aerosols in the lower atmosphere at different

stages of typhoon and earthquake development leads to formation of external stages of typhoon and earthquake development leads to formation of external electric current. Its inclusion in the atmosphere – ionosphere electric circuit is electric current. Its inclusion in the atmosphere – ionosphere electric circuit is

accompanied by amplification of conductivity current that flows into the accompanied by amplification of conductivity current that flows into the ionosphere. The current flowing within the conducted layer of the ionosphere ionosphere. The current flowing within the conducted layer of the ionosphere

is closed in the conjugate ionosphere through the magnetic field-aligned is closed in the conjugate ionosphere through the magnetic field-aligned current. current.

The computation method presented in this report allows calculating spatial The computation method presented in this report allows calculating spatial distribution of the conductivity current and related electric field for arbitrary distribution of the conductivity current and related electric field for arbitrary

altitude dependence of atmospheric conductivity and horizontal distribution of altitude dependence of atmospheric conductivity and horizontal distribution of external electric current at oblique geomagnetic field. The calculations show external electric current at oblique geomagnetic field. The calculations show that DC electric field in the ionosphere can reach the magnitudes 10 to 20 that DC electric field in the ionosphere can reach the magnitudes 10 to 20

mV/m. mV/m. Analyses of satellite data has revealed the electric field disturbances up to 20 Analyses of satellite data has revealed the electric field disturbances up to 20

mV/m in the ionosphere over typhoon and earthquake preparation zones. mV/m in the ionosphere over typhoon and earthquake preparation zones. The ground-based observations did not reveal any significant long-term (1 to The ground-based observations did not reveal any significant long-term (1 to 10 days) electric field disturbances within earthquake area at the distances of 10 days) electric field disturbances within earthquake area at the distances of

tens to hundreds km from epicenter. tens to hundreds km from epicenter. The field limitation on the Earth surface is caused by feedback mechanism The field limitation on the Earth surface is caused by feedback mechanism

between excited electric field and the causal external current. This feedback between excited electric field and the causal external current. This feedback is produced by the potential barrier for charged particle at its transfer from is produced by the potential barrier for charged particle at its transfer from

ground to the atmosphere. ground to the atmosphere. The effect of limitation of the vertical electric field magnitude on the ground The effect of limitation of the vertical electric field magnitude on the ground

creates significant advantage for satellite monitoring of seismic related creates significant advantage for satellite monitoring of seismic related electric field disturbances as compared to ground-based observations. Thus electric field disturbances as compared to ground-based observations. Thus the ionosphere can be more efficient indicator of definite class of earthquake the ionosphere can be more efficient indicator of definite class of earthquake

precursors than the ground-based observations. precursors than the ground-based observations.